PC ANDREW Harper’s killers will remain behind bars after Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced changes to the early release scheme.
The PM said anyone convicted of unlawful killing – like Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers – would be exempt and will stay in prison.
The Prime Minister has confirmed that two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers will be kept in prison, pictured Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole Credit: The Jattvibe
Bowers and Cole were jailed for 13 years for the manslaughter of PC Harper Credit: PA
Bowers and Cole were jailed for 13 years for the manslaughter of PC Harper, 28, who was dragged for more than a mile behind their car when he responded to reports of theft in 2019.
Plans to let out the killers in January – under Labour plans to release up to 5,000 prisoners over ten months from October – had sparked fury.
Sign up for The Jattvibe newsletter
Thank you!
Now, Mr Burnham has said “hundreds” of people will remain in prison as part of changes to the scheme designed to ease prison overcrowding.
Prisoners convicted of historic child sex offences will also be blocked from changes.
Andy Burnham has confirmed that the killers of PC Harper will stay behind bars Credit: AFP
A car dragged Andrew to his death when his ankles were caught in a towrope back in 2019 Credit: PA
Mr Burnham said: “I know how strongly people feel about this issue. I understand the concern and anger because I share it.
“That’s why I took action during my first weeks as Prime Minister to block some of the very worst in society being released before they should.
“We moved quickly to block vile criminals who commit rape, sexually abuse children and groom vulnerable young people.”
He continued: “But I always said I wanted to do more. We will now not only be keeping offenders serving time for indecent assault locked up, but also those in prison for manslaughter and death by dangerous driving.
Albert Bowers, who was jailed for manslaughter will not be released early Credit: PA
Jessie Cole, also jailed for manslaughter Credit: PA
“This means that the awful criminals responsible for the killing of PC Andrew Harper will not have their sentence shortened.”
The Prime Minister ordered a review of the changes to the Sentencing Act, which is being undertaken by Justice Secretary Alex Norris and is set to be published when Parliament returns from summer recess this week.
Newly-married PC Harper died after getting caught up in a strap attached to the rear of a car.
He was dragged more than a mile as the killers fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berks, in 2019.
Bowers and Cole, both 17 at the time of the crime, got 13 years in 2020 after being convicted of manslaughter and remain eligible to be freed in January, just halfway through their sentences.
Hopes were raised for PC Harper’s family when the PM ordered a review of the scheme.
Changes were made including preventing rapists and paedophiles from being let out early — but not include those convicted of manslaughter like Bowers and Cole.
Full details of the latest changes are expected to be revealed by the Justice Secretary when Parliament returns.
Mr Burnham said extra space in prisons would be created by deporting foreign prisoners.
He is also looking to fix the dispute over Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences — abolished in 2012 — under which more than 2,300 people are indefinitely detained or trapped in a cycle of lifelong recall, and the release of lower-risk offenders.
